Keyboard template

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Panchdara
Posts: 148
Joined: Sat May 15, 2021 9:02 am

Keyboard template

Post by Panchdara »

I got bored last night and drew up CAD for the keyboard template. I have attached it (in 2 forms). It was drawn in QCAD but should be readable in many CAM s/w (??). Please feel free to use as you see fit. There is no copyright.This is based on https://technical.swissmicros.com/graph ... y_DM42.PDF

Attached a couple CAD dawings, if interested.
DM41X-DM42.zip
(34.46 KiB) Downloaded 209 times
edit: please report any issues. Best regards.
NYC41
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed Jun 07, 2017 4:23 pm

Re: Keyboard template

Post by NYC41 »

Thanks for pointing out the key_overlay_dm42.pdf. I read it and it is missing a few measurements, most critically the inter-key distance on the top four rows of keys. The width and height of those keys is shown (left-most column for width, and the row spacing is shown for all rows). If this is provided, the Enter key size can also be calculated.

Thanks!
DM32 SN: 00733, DM42 SN: 00085, DM41X SN: 00517, DM41L SN: 00391
HP-01; HP-41C, CV, CX, CL, CY; HPs 42/48/49/50; many others
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Walter
Posts: 3070
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Location: On a mission close to DRS, Germany

Re: Keyboard template

Post by Walter »

That inter-key distance (IKD) on the top four rows of keys can be calculated easily: Key width is 7.7, overall width is 70.5, distance to the edge is 2.65. So IKD = ( 70,5 - 6 x 7.7 - 2 x 2.65 ) / 5 = 3.8 mm. And the width of the enter key is hence 2 x 7.7 + 3.8 = 19.2 mm.
WP43 SN00000, 34S, and 31S for obvious reasons; HP-35, 45, ..., 35S, 15CE, DM16L S/N# 00093, DM42β SN:00041
Panchdara
Posts: 148
Joined: Sat May 15, 2021 9:02 am

Re: Keyboard template

Post by Panchdara »

Yup, as Walter states the upper keys can (and have been) calculated (on a DM42!!). If you open the DXF file you will see a dimension layer that is hidden/locked. Unhide it and all the dimensions will be shown.

Attached is pdf of the measurements too. However, don't use this pdf as scale, raher use the DXF/DWG.

Note: I have assumd the physical button EXIT is same size as F1...F6 and the ENTER is same witdh as F1 <-> F2

Best
DM41-42 Kbd Template.pdf
(95.16 KiB) Downloaded 217 times
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Walter
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Location: On a mission close to DRS, Germany

Re: Keyboard template

Post by Walter »

Please note that is a classical CAD drawing - meaning the dimensioning doesn't make sense in real life. If you want to make an overlay, you will need a piece of flat material 89.5mm long and 72,5mm wide. Furthermore, some dimensions are overdetermined. And following old tradition, no tolerances are given.
WP43 SN00000, 34S, and 31S for obvious reasons; HP-35, 45, ..., 35S, 15CE, DM16L S/N# 00093, DM42β SN:00041
Gnimelf
Posts: 25
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2021 7:42 am
Location: Wisconsin, USA

Re: Keyboard template

Post by Gnimelf »

I certainly think that the DM41X AND DM42 should come with at least one blank overlay, like my HP41c originally did. It would also be great to be able to buy additional packs. I know blanks are a minimal thing but with my HP I used many with hand made stick on labels.

It would also be innovative for SM to provide overlay “slots” and blank overlays for the Voyager series.

SM could offset some of the costs by offering blanks for various HP calc’s as they are difficult to find (as far as I know).

And finally, if someone had a need for custom configuration SM could provide a custom run with printed labels.
Cheers - Bill Fleming
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